COVID-19

Montana hospitals and clinics are tightening their visitation policies to protect patients and staff as cases of the delta variant continue to mount. Officials at a Helena hospital say frustrated visitors are leading to unprecedented levels of hostility directed at staff.

A Democratic Montana state lawmaker Wednesday questioned the head of the state health department about whether medical experts were involved in making a controversial emergency rule issued last month regarding masking in schools.

The law in question gave vaccine status protection under the Montana Human Rights Act, which in effect prohibits government agencies and businesses from requiring employee vaccinations.

There are over 10,000 active COVID-19 cases in Montana. The state reached that milestone Wednesday. Public health officials and experts say the latest outbreak is fueled by the Delta variant. MTPR’s Freddy Monares and Aaron Bolton looked into what Montana can expect to come next.

To incentivize COVID-19 vaccinations among students the Blackfeet Nation is now offering to pay tribal members.

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Friday evening that his administration issued a new emergency rule that he says will help transfer patients out of overburdened large hospitals faster, freeing up more beds.

The Biden administration announced Monday the land border with Canada will remain restricted to all nonessential travel through Oct. 21. That’s in contrast with Canada’s side of the border, which since Aug. 9 has been open for U.S. citizens who are fully vaccinated and have tested negative for the coronavirus.

Two dozen Montana National Guard personnel arrive in Missoula next week to help the county handle what officials say is its deteriorating COVID situation.

Dr. Shelly Harkins, the president and chief medical officer of Helena’s Saint Peter’s Health made this sobering announcement Thursday morning: “For the first time in my career we are at the point where not every patient in need will get the care we might wish we could give,” she says.

As COVID-19 cases surge, hospitals say they can’t get enough staff to keep up. Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration says it’s collaborating with hospitals as needs arise.